Bangkok: Chiang Mai has been recognized as the safest city in ASEAN for 2025, a development expected to bolster Thailand's tourism ambitions.
According to Thai News Agency, the global website Numbeo, known for its data on quality of life and cost of living, awarded Chiang Mai a safety score of 78.2 points, placing it at the top of the safety rankings in the ASEAN region. Following Chiang Mai are Singapore with 77.4 points, Davao in the Philippines with 71.6 points, Penang in Malaysia with 69.7 points, Hanoi in Vietnam with 65.9 points, Makati in the Philippines with 61.5 points, and Bangkok in Thailand with 60.7 points.
The tourism sector in Thailand has seen significant activity from January 1 to May 11, 2025, with 12,948,032 foreign tourists visiting the country. This influx has generated approximately 613,168 million baht in revenue, with the primary tourists hailing from China, Malaysia, Russia, India, and South Korea.
During the week of May 5-11, there was an 18.01% increase in tourist arrivals from Singapore, though long-haul tourist numbers are slowing, a typical trend for the low season. The government has set an ambitious target for 2025, aiming for 39 million foreign tourists and 3.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue. Currently, the number of tourists has reached 33.20% of this target, with revenue at 18.03%.
Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it underscores Thailand's safety credentials, a vital factor in enhancing global tourist confidence. She expressed gratitude to all agencies involved in fostering international tourist confidence and reiterated the government's commitment to advancing Thai tourism. This includes efforts in safety, service standards, and creating memorable experiences to cement Thailand's status as a trusted, world-class tourist destination.